Politics · Italy · 8 hrs ago
Conte urges Ukraine negotiations and criticises Europe’s rearmament plan
Giuseppe Conte called for negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war during a debate on the next European Council meeting.
Conte leads Italy’s Five Star Movement and said sanctions against Russia were justified because it was the aggressor.
He argued that Europe should send negotiators rather than continue supplying weapons.
He warned that a US agreement with Putin could benefit the United States while raising the risk of a wider war in Europe.
Conte also said the rearmament plan could divide Europe and encourage nationalism.
He proposed shared European defence instead of countries rearming separately, and said the plan’s 800 billion euros should be redirected to growth, housing, renewable energy, health and other priorities.
He also called for a European agency on artificial intelligence to set rules and help train workers.
Giuseppe Conte urged Europe to send negotiators rather than continue sending weapons to Ukraine.
He criticised a rearmament plan that allows each country to build up arms on its own.
Conte said the plan could divide Europe and revive nationalism.
He argued that 800 billion euros earmarked for rearmament should instead support growth, housing, infrastructure, renewable energy and health care.
He made the remarks during a debate on the upcoming European Council.
- Who
- Giuseppe Conte, president of the Five Star Movement.
- What
- He called for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine and criticised Europe’s rearmament plan.
- When
- During a debate on the upcoming European Council; the date of the debate is not stated.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Conte said negotiations could help end the war and avoid division in Europe; he argued that rearmament spending should be used for other priorities.
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- Speaker
- Giuseppe Conte
- Role
- President of the Five Star Movement
- Rearmament spending
- 800 billion euros
- Proposed alternative
- Redirect the money to growth, housing, infrastructure, renewable energy and health care
1 source
What people are saying
Instead of sending weapons without limit, we should send negotiators.
The United States is doing golden business with Putin: it is an irresponsible deal, while here we risk a world war at home.
This will divide Europe and revive dangerous nationalisms.